Thursday, February 2, 2017

Importance of February Month for Dalit Movement

Come February and the memory of a number of
Dalit personalities, Saints and freedom Fighters is afresh again in the minds of Dalit Samaj. As the circle of
birth and death is continuing since the man was born on the earth planet. So
people born and die daily. Unbiased historians record the contribution of
dedicated persons of vision for the welfare of the society as a whole and the
sect in which a particular person is born. It is a well recognized fact that since
the past historians were from the higher Hindu Castes, so they ignored writing
about the historic contribution of Dalit personalities. In respect of Dalit men
and women of vision, the past historians have shown utter contempt. With the
dawn of 19th century some education institutions, particularly of Christian
missionaries started parting education to all including poor, low caste, and
untouchables. With this a change was brought in the whole education and writing
history. Many Dalits also not only started churning out history books and
consolidated truth out of existing literature but many challenged the inhuman
treatment met out to them and their ancestors. Out of the limited material
available I have tried here to find out the importance of February month in the
Dalit history.

The following
Dalit personalities, who contributed for the welfare of all in general and
Dalits in particular were born in Feburary.

1Jagdeo
Prasad’s 95th birthday falls 2-2-2017

Shri Jagdeo Prasad the
Lenin of Bihar was born on February 02, 1922 at Kurtha of Jehanabad district of
Bihar. He belonged to Kushwaha caste who are vegetable growers. The Kushwaha
have richly contributed to the struggle for social justice and democracy. The
born radical that he was, JP prevailed upon his grandfather to not perform
‘Shraddh’ of his father. Instead of ‘Shraddh’ rituals,
there a condolence meeting and a small meal was held, all without any Brahmin
priest. This was not the only incident of caste-based exploitation. In 1950 he graduated. He along with 6 of his collegues
won Bihar Stae Assembly Bye Elections-1969 on –Shoshit Dal Party.
Shoshit means oppressed and exploited. His efforts elevated Kapoori Thakur as Dy Chief Minister in an OBC leader in
1967. Credit goes to Jagdeo Prasad for breaking the monopoly of upper castes on
the post of Chief Minister of Bihar. Bihar saw first non-Congress government in
1967 under the leadership of Mahamaya Prasad Sinha. Subsequently Kapoori Thakur
was chief Minister of Bihar(1970-71
& 1977-79).Shri. Satish Prashad
Singh and shri B.P.Mandal another OBC
Leaders was also chief Minister of Bihar in 1968. This practice is continuing
intermittently. Jagdeo Prasad a master politician pulled down government of
Mahamaya Prashad Sinha run with the support of Jansang and CPI for making space
for Backward class Chief Minister. This brave son of Bihar was shot at and
killed on September 05, 1974 in a conspiracy had been hatched by the feudal
lords to kill him His funeral was attended by lakhs and condolence meeting on 7th
Sep,1974 was attended among others by JP Narayan, Kapoori Thakue,and R.S.Verma .

Jagdeo Prasad’s coined slogan sums up many ideals.

“ We the exploited are ninety, ninety is our share in land, wealth
and power, the ninety will not allow the rule of the ten.”

2. GURU RAVI DASS –A- PREEMINENT MYSTIC

( Guru Ji’s
603rd birthday falls on 10th
Feubary,2017 )

“So purifying
is Guru Ravi Dass, that the dust of his holy feet is worshiped by all.” Said
Guru Nabha Dass.

Since in majority cases not much was
written down about the lives of the saints, by saints themselves or their educated
devotees. Saints never wanted anything in their glorification and there was
wide spread illiteracy among their devotees. Many things about their life
events are carried orally through ages.
So confusions and contradictions mixed up later about their parenthoods,
places of birth, family details, religion or castes, dates associated with
their life facts including births and deaths. Later writers collected different
clues from different sources forming their own views, at times varying with one
another. In case of Dalit saints this version had more relevancies. After long
discussions and comparison of different research works by different scholars,
some facts were churned out to be most acceptable. The largely accepted facts
about the life of revered Goru Ravi Das are given here. Whereas differences in
different writers still persists.

Guru Ravi Dass was born on Magh Purnima
(Sunday)in Samvat 1471 ( 1414 AD ) to
Shri Raghu & Shrimati Mata Karma Devi of Chamar caste at Mandiva Thein ,now
called Goverdhan Pura near Banaras Some scholars give the names of his parents
as Sh. Santosh Dass & Shrimati Mata Kalsi Devi . Guru Ravi Dass lived an
exalted `life span of 126 years & left his mortal frame in 1540 AD to join
back into the supreme ocean of Bliss or the
Creator of Universe. However, some
scholars quote his life span of 151 years. But for want of authentic
information such things are bound to happen.

Guru Ravi Dass was born at a time when the orthodox and superstitious
Hindu & Muslim priests had adopted rituals, Exterior body decorations,
scarifying animals, visiting different places, bathing in different rivers,
recitations of their Holy religious books etc. as sole methods of salvation
from the circle of births & deaths. The Hindus had closed all their places
of worships (temples), schools, entry into Government services or honorable
services in private sectors for Shudras. ,Instead Shudras assigned to them most
dirtiest duties for the Brahmans , Khatriyas & Vaishayas as per Rules
framed by Manu All decent living were ruled out for them. Keeping richness of
Guru Ravi Dass’s verses in view, 40 of them were incorporated into Sri Guru
Granth Sahib by Guru Arjun Dev ji,

Guru
Ravi Dass denounced caste system which is based on un-natural laws & upheld
Virtue by saying ;

“If a Brahmin is virtue less, Offer him no
worship ‘O ‘Ravi Dass,

Worship
instead the feet of a Chandal, If he is Found full of virtue.”

Guru Rravidas further said “If
thou are born to Brahmin (Superior by birth ) mother , why you have not
born through a different route .”

Guru Ravi Dass advised the rulers to provide equal
& decent means of livelihood to all their subjects & he said,

“I
want kingdoms where every one is well-fed,And all should live in harmony, Ravi
Dass is happy only then”.

Guru Ravi Dass preached the rule of
Almighty, that He has created everybody equal and there cannot be any

difference between persons of different
castes. He said,

“Ask not caste “o” Ravi Dass, What is there in clan or caste?

Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaish, or Shudra, All
belong to the same caste”

Guru Ravi Dass preach to the
world true message of God realization, Love & devotion to Lord, through
loving His creations he didn’t denounce other religions but dogmas &
rituals. Guru RaviDass said,

“Those who are
not dyed internally in love, But merely make an outer display,

They
will go to the world of death, Truly doth Ravi Dass state”.

Sri Guru Ravidas, preached that God realization can only be through
devotion to a true Naam dyed or realized
saint and , not through Persons who preach dogmas, animal scarifying, roaming
in jungles ,observing austerities, etc. He said those who are not dyed
internally in love, but merely make an outer display shall not find peace after
death. God becomes accessible only when He takes human form & come to the
level of human in this world, as idols are lifeless, the animals & birds
cannot communicate with us, the past respectable Saints and Noble persons/
Souls are as far away as God, so a living Saint or Master can only guide
us. This human form of pure spirit is
called Guru by the saints. So Guru is God incarnation. Sain Bulleh Shah Said “God (Molla ) has taken the form of man
(Guru)” Sat Guru Kabir Said “Worship thou the true worshiper of the Lord
.”

Guru Ravi Dass Said “God, Guru & Saint, Are the same in consciousness.” Among guru
Ravidas’s disciples were Meerabai, Raja Peepa ,Rana sanga many more. Guru
ravidas is said to have Three meetings with Guru Nanak.

Guru Ravidas advised his disciples to lead
a clean life, refrain from animal killing for eating or scarifying before gods
& Goddesses, never take wine or any other intoxicants. Guru Ravi Dass said,

“Those who eat meat, they in fact cut their own
throat,

For whosoever
is meat eater, he will have to go to hell “sayeth Ravi Dass.” He further said,

“Even ,if wine is made with Holy water of Ganga ,Saints drink it
not.”

Guru Ravi Dass spread the message of love
for all, devotion to Lord, universal brotherhood, honest earning for livelihood
& to discard all that does not help in God realization. By doing so he
became one with Lord. Said, Ravidas. Guru Ravi Dass’s 639th birthday
is falling on03th Feb. 2015 and the same shall be celebrated throughout India
besides in many foreign countries with reverence. The best way to remember Guru
Ji is to follow his ideals.

Revered
Mata Ramabai Ambedkar wife of Bharat
Ratana Baba Sahib Dr.B.R.Ambedkar was
born on 7th Febuary 1898 nearly 11 months after passing away of Mata Savitribai
Phuley a great social and educational revolutionary. It is rightly said, “There
is a lady at the back of very successful man”.it was so in the case of Goswami
Tulsidass, Shatrarpati Shiva Ji Maharaj, Tilak, Gandhi Veer Savarkar, Mahatma
Jyotiba Phule, Baba Sahib B R Ambedkar and may other personalities, who made
history of sorts. The success of Dr. Ambedkar had incalculable contribution of
his noble wife Smt. Ramabai Ambedkar, She was intelligent, kind, poise,
obedient, chaste, religious, possessing high character, besides having
simplicity of style and taste. This saintly lady although lived in extreme
poverty but without a whisper of complaint on her face. Always turning her eyes
towards God for the safety and prosperity of her husband. She was gentle by
temperament, sober in manners, weak in constitution but modest in speech.
Revered Ramabhai a sober and good girl came of a good but poor family. She was
the second daughter of Bhiku Walandkar, a resident of Walang village near
Dapoli in Konkan in central India. He worked as porter at Dopli. He used to
carry fish loads on his head from sea side to the bazaar. His earning was so
meager that he could hardly make both ends meet. Rama bhai was born on 7th Febuary
1898. Her childhood name was Ramibhai and she has two sisters Gorabhai and
Meerabhai and one brother named Shanker Dhutrey. Shanker Dhutrey also called
Shanker Walangkar who worked in a press.
These unfortunate children lost first their mother & after some time their
father too in childhood so were brought up by their maternal and parental uncle
in Bombay (now Mumbai). Bhiva later called Bhimrao Ramji Dass Ambedkar and
Ramibhai (later Ramabhai) were married when they were 16 years and 9 years old
respectively: The marriage was ceremonised shortly after Bhim had passed his
matriculation examination. The marriage pandal was an open shed of the Byculla
Fish market in Bombay, after the days market was over. At night the bridegroom
and his relatives were lodged in one spacious corner of the open shed and that
of with her relatives in another corner. The small stone plate forms in the
market served as benches, where a small gutter of dirty water flowed underneath
their feet. The marriage place was vacated in the early morning before sunrise
to enable the merchants to carry their daily business. The marriage was
ceremonies with religious rites and jollity. Ramibhai was renamed Ramabhai
after marriage and later earned the distinction of being called Mata Ramabhai Ambedkar.

Rambhai
Ambedkar was initially illiterate but
her husband later taught her simple reading and writing. Educationally there
was world of difference between the two but they loved and respected each other
from the core of their heats. Love, faith, sincerity, sacrifice and
understanding links, between the two persons formed unbreakable chain to live
happily, despite both being educationally poles apart. Bhim used to call his
wife affectionately as “Ramu” and she called him “Sahib”. She was deeply proud
of her husband and Bhim respected here immensely. As Dr. Ambedkar was always
busy in reading & could devote very little time for house hold affairs. At
times she used to press here sahib’s feet in the evening, when he was reading
& slept on the floor under his feet. But Ramabhai ensured that nobody
disturbed him during this study or working. She cared for the health and
welfare of her husband by all means.

When
Ambedkar was in America, she lived a life of destitute but without any regret.
It is rare historical example of courage & conviction of a wife (Ramabhai)
who used to make cowdung cakes and carry the same on her head, to use them as
cheap household fuel, despite taunting remarks from neighboring women folk,
when her husband (Dr B R Ambedkar), also in acute financial crisis was
struggling to obtain world’s highest Academic degrees including Doctorate of
Science in foreign lands. Despite financial crisis for studies and at home. Dr
Ambedkar became Barrister reinforced by a London Doctorate of Science, an
American Doctorate in Philosophy and Studies of Bonn University, which
reflected immense sacrifices of his wife. When Ambedkar was preparing to go to
America for higher studies, the neighboring women advised Ramabhai to stop her
husband from going abroad, as he may marry a Mem (English lady) and desert her. But Ramabhai had unflinching
faith on her sahib and replied to those ladies that’ she knew her husband well
and he cannot do so”.

Despite
Ramabhai‘s little education she was an expert housewife and knew well to run
her house hold affairs. On getting money for monthly household expenses from
Ambedkar she used to divide the money into 30 parts keeping each part
separately. Daily she opened one part and used it, so as not to run penniless
on last dates of the month. Her economical habits and faith in her husband,
enabled the couple to get constructed their palatial house namely, Rajgrih in
Bombay. But even after moving into Rajgrih, it did not affect her simple
habits.

The
wedlock of this ideal couple was blessed with four sons and one daughter, Out
of his four sons namely, Ramesh, Gangadhar, yashwant and Rajratna and one
daughter Indu only one son namely Yashwant Ambedkar (Father of Sh Parkash
Abmedkar MP) survived, and others died mostly in fancy. This gave the couple
great pains and sorrows. On the death of his youngest son Rajratan on Ist July
1926, Dr Ambedkar wrote on 16th August to one of his friends, “There
is no use pretending that I and my wife have recovered from the shock of our
Son’s death and I don’t think that we ever shall. - - - - - - - with the loss
of our kids the salt of our life is gone - - - - “ After a long period of
mourning & on the insistence of his well wishers, Dr Ambedkar settled down
on the work for emancipation of down trodden but Ramabhai Continued in grief.
This acted upon here health badly and she fell gravely ill. She being highly
religious even during illness, she continued observing fasts on Saturdays took
only water and black gram, worshipped God for His blessing on her husband. Her
thoughts, mind and eyes were devoted to the service of her Sahib. At this she
would say,’ Sahib what is there in having so many Degrees, cannot we live
happily with lesser education , perhaps she did not know that the emancipation
of million of untouchables was possible only with knowledge of order which Dr
Ambedkar acquired before plunging into the war to break the age old chains of
slavery of his brethren.

On
Ramabhai’s insistence and life long Dr Ambedkar took Ramabhai to Pandharpur for
pilgrimage of Vethal Ji Maharaj, in whom she had lot of faith. But being
untouchables they were not allowed to go near the temple, so they had to stand
at a distance from the temple idol to offer prayers. It irritated the
self-respecting Dr Ambedkar and he said “What of that Pandherpur, which
prevents its devotees from seeing the image of God, by our own virtuous life,
selfless service and spotless sacrifice in the cause of downtrodden humanity,
we shall create another Pandharpur. Another Pandharpur! He kept his promise by
leaving Hindu religion and embracing Buddhism and re-establishing Buddha in His
motherland after centuries. Illness at last over power the weak body physique
of Rama Bai Ambedkar. She was even taken to Dharwal by Dr. Ambedkar for change,
but this to did not help in improving her health. No medicine could give her
relief and at last on 27th May 1935 unfortunate happen. She passed
away at her residence.

Thus came the end
of the nobility of mind and purity of heart. But fortunately Dr Ambedkar was by
the side of her death bed. About 10,000 people rich and poor, educated and
illiterate, important and common attended here funeral procession. Her son
Yashwant Ambedkar preformed all Hindus rites at the bidding of a Maha priest
Sambhoo More, who was Baba Sahib’s colleague since their school days. After the
death of Ramabhai, Baba Sahib was a completely broken person. Over a week he
kept weeping like a child and it was difficult to console him. He put on a
dress of a hermit and got his head tonsured. The saintly saffron robe indicated
a hermit with world negating attitude. On the repeated requests & advice of
his trusted friend and well – wishers he again took in his hand the oar to sail
across his suffering fellowmen and to cut their age old chains of slavery.

Sri Sri
Guru Chand Thakur son of Sri Sri
Hari Chand Thakur a social reformist of
Bengal ( Now Bangla Desh) reportedly
passed away on 9th February 1897. He was born in Namasudra or
Namassej(also called Chandal ).From early age he had inclinations for
reformist. His father Sri Sri Hari Chand Thakur
who founded “Matua Mahasang”was
born on 11March,1811 and passed away in 1877 .The
Matua believe that male and female are equal. They discourage early marriage.
Widow Remarriage is allowed. Both men and women can be religious teachers.Main
principles Namasudra were: (1) No necessity of entering the temples of higher
castes for the purpose of worship, (2) Discarding Brahmin priest for any
ceremony, (3) Worship on Shri Hari, (4) Not to worship idols and not to visit
pilgrimage centers of Hindus and (5) Maintain good moral conduct and lead an
ideal family life. The sect became popular in East Bengal (now a part of
Bangladesh) and he led the untouchability movement called the Chandal movement
in India. He built an English high school at Orakandhi ( now in Bangladesh )
for the people of lower community called Nama Shudra (untouchable
community). He united the people of this community, but was against religion
conversion. However some Bengali Brahmins have made him a Maithili Brahmin.
Harichand’s doctrine is based on three basic principles-truth, love, and
sanctity. The doctrine treats all people as equal. Shri Shri Harichand Thakur
and his son Guruchand Thakur were great social reformers who worked to reform the society of chandal (charal).
Guruchand Thakur started Namasudra Welfare Association.He called an all Bengal Namasudra
Conference in 1881 at Duttadanga in
Khulna district( Now Bangladesh). He united the people of lower community
people, and protect them from religion conversion. Guruchand Thakur appealed to
the then Governor of West Bengal and Assam to give employment to Namasudra in
Government services.He also worked to get removed Chandal,a disdraceful
name by a new name. In the censes of
1911 Chandal word was substituted by four different clans or Gotras.( Source:-Wikipedia)

Shri Sant Ram B.A. a Dalit (Megh) by caste was born on 14th February
1887 at Puranni Bassi Hoshiarpur ( Punjab).He had studied up to B.A. and
there after devoted himself for Dalit upliftment social work. He was also a
devoted Arya Samaji sect of Soami Dayanand Saraswati. To abolish caste system
he worked to establish his own organization “Jat-Pat- Todak Mandal”. One of the
plank of his organization was to promote inter caste marriages and to get
abolished caste system from with in the Depressed classes. Since Arya Samaji’s
did not co-oprate with Jat-Pat Todakl Mandal ideals, so Sh.Sant Ram made it an independent organization to
continue his efforts for achieving his set goals.

Shri Sant Ram
invited Dr.Ambedkar to preside over 1936
annual convention of the Jat-Pat Todak
Mandal to be held at Lahore and also deliver his presidential address..
Dr.Ambedkar wrote the Presidential address, but the Mandal committee wanted some changes in it,to which
Dr. Ambedkar did not agree. The convention was cancelled and the presidential
address was published by Baba sahib as “Annihilation
of Caste” in 1936 itself and this book is considered as one of the best
books written by the author. It has gone into so many reprints since then. Sant
Ram himself translated into Hindi and published in the Kranti an Urdu monthly magazine. Sant Ram authored
many books as well. He breathed his last on 5th June 1988 at an age
of 101 years.

Mahatma Jyotirao Phule was born on 20-2-1827 to revered couple
Gobindarao and Chimnabai in village
Khanbari of Poona. He earned the title of Mahatma and title of Bukar
T.Washington (American President and a great leader against acts of slavery
& apartheid).Since Gobindarao and his two brothers served as florists under
the Pashwas, so they were called Phules.Chimnabai died when Jyotiba was 9
months old..Gobindrao wanted his son to get a higher education so as to spread
the Gyan Jyoti for the humanity at
large and Dalits in particular..Jyotirao completed his secondary education in
1847 and decided not to accept any government job but work for the upliftment
of downtrodden( Women included ) and to spread education among them.

One day when Jyotirao
accompanied the Barat of his Brahmin friend, but was insulted and abused as
to how a Dalit dared to take part in
Barat (Marriage Party) of a Brahmin. After this incident Jyotiba made up his
mind to defy the caste system and decided to serve the shudras and women who
were deprived of all of their human rights under the caste system.Jyotiba was
married

in 1840 to Savitribai. Savitribai Phule, worked as the true disciple and co-missionary of
her husband. They changed the history by opening a school on 1-1-1848 for girls
in Poona where Savitirbai was admitted as first Student along with four Brahmin
girls, one Maratha girl and sixth a shepherd family girl.Jyotirao Phule
continued this school despite opposition form orthodox Hindus, who considered
this act against their religion, as Hindu scriptures considered educating girls
& Dalits as a great sin , defying the Hindu scriptures & Orthodox
preaching of Caste proudly Brahmins , they opened 18 such schools including
some having co-education. Thus the Phuley couple became father & Mother Women Edfucation
in India.

Feeling pity on the condition of orphans Jyotiba Phule opened orphanage, perhaps first such institution by
a Hindu. Jyotiba Phule gave protection to widows & assured them that his
orphanage shall take care of their childrenirrespect of casteor colour.. It was in this orphanage that a Brahmin widow
gave birth to a male child in1873 and Jyotirao Phule adopted him as his son
& educated him to become a qualified doctor.

He published his
controversial book “Slavery,” in 1873 ,in which he declared his manifesto
that he was willing to dine with
all irrespective of their caste, creed,
or country of origin Jyotirao Phule
formed “ Satya Shodhak Samaj on 24 th September 1873. The
main objectives of this organization were to liberate the Shudras, Ati Shudras
& to prevent their exploitation by the Upper caste Hindus. He refused to
regard Vedas as sacrosanct & denounced Chaturverna & instead published
his book “Satya Dharma Pustak in 1891.
According to him all men & women
are equal so are entitled to
enjoy equal rights & it was a sin to discriminate between human beings
Widow remarriages were banned and child marriage was very common among the
Hindus Society Jyotirao opposed both & worked to benefit them and got re- married one Shayani caste widow on 8th
march 1890 against strong protests He
opposed the evil customs too.

He edited a
weekly news paper “DEEN BANDU,” from 1st January 1877 Jyotirao Phule
got his right hand incapacitated in an illness, so he stated writing with his
left hand & wrote a book titled as “ SARIVJANIK SATYA DHARAM , “ After
ceaselessly working for over 63 years Jyotirao Phule passed away on 28 th
November 1890 about 138 days before the birth
of Dr. BR Ambedkar another luminary, Father of free India’s Constitution
, who too worked lifelong for the emancipation of Dalits , depressed, weak & women Jyotirao Phule shall be
remembered for the centuries to come for the
good work he did for the Dalits & Depressed peoples of society.

7.GADGE JI
MAHARAJ( His 138th birthday falls on 23rd
Feb,2017 )

A great social & religious
reformer of 19th century was born on 23 -02-1879 in the village Ron
of Maharastra, to respected Sh. Singraji Janorkar & Mata Shrimati Sukhbai
of Preet caste, a watermen’s community. He was married in childhood to Shrimati
Kunnabai & both parented one girl child. Dabuji was his childhood name.
Once Dabuji dared to take meals in a community function along with his
community persons in the same row where upper caste Hindus were taking meals,
but he was turned out. This incident made unforgettable dent on his tender
mind, so in later years he opposed caste
System with all his might. He used to say that there are only two castes
created by God namely man& woman. We are all human & Dalits or
untouchables have nothing different than upper Caste Hindus. The superiority
claims of upper Caste Hindus is nothing more than cheating & deception .He advised all to take lessons from the
Sun, the Fire, the Trees the Animals, the Birds , the mother Earth , who
provide equal services to all irrespective of caste, creed, sex , religion or
place of birth of a person. He always wore rags & carried a Garwa (Water
pot with a curved short, spout ) ,so he was called as Gadge Ji Maharaj . He
said, “God realization is not in observing fasts, worshiping idols, undertaking
long journeys to identified religious places,, listening to religious sermons
but in service to humanity, particularly those who are poor, deprived , sick
& needy .” he preached not to slaughter animals to please gods & goddesses, do not waste
money on pilgrims , do not drink wine , but serve your parents & poor’s
well, do not indulge in untouchability ,
do not be under the inferiority complex
, cut your expenditure on marriage functions and do not take or offer dowry. He decried / cursed those who took the
services of animals like cows, goats, horses, donkeys; buffalos etc during
their youth but did not care them in their old age.

In 1949
when Dr. BR Ambedkar, the then Law Minister of Indian Union met Gadge ji
, he advised
his Visitor to leave the Hindu religion, which is resistant to reforms,
but also not to embrace Christianity or Islam. Dr Ambedkar followed advice of
Gadge Ji & converted to Buddhism in 1956.
Gadge Baba dedicated Sant Chokhamela Dharmashala, Pandharpur to Dr
Ambedkar for his love for Dr Ambedkar.

On way to Amravati Gadge Baba ji
passed away on 20th December 1956 on the Bridge of Perry River. On the Tappi river between Khandla &
Nagpur is situated his Samadhi named Shri Gadgeji Maharaj, “ GYANI DHAM ,” .In
his Samadhi here an Asti-kalash
or a pot containing Gadgeji’s ashes is stored in the basement of
the memorial . Gadge Baba ji shall be remembered as a great emancipator &
true guide of Dalits, who preached to live with dignity, compassion,love and
mercy His main teaching are as;- Give food to the hungry

sant Baba Gadge Swachata Abhiyan” should be adopted by Indian Prime Minister in his crusade for cleanliness.

This saint shall be
remembered as a great emancipator & true guide of Dalits, who preached them
to Live with dignity.

Justice Raja Ram Bole 9 his 104th birthday 13th February, 2017).

Shri Rajaram Bhole belonging to Mahar caste and was a close confidant of
Baba Sahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Shri Rajaram Bhole’s father Shri Ramji Bhola
lived in Bolaram near Hydrabad in Andhara Pradesh. Bolarum is one of the major
suburbs of Hyderabad, India. Geographically, a part of
Bolarum is in Hyderabad
district while another is in Ranga Reddy District. It comes under Secunderabad
Cantonment Board. Shri Rajaram Bhole was born on 13th February, 1913. Shri Rajaram Bhole passed
his matriculation from high school at Secundrabad and B.Sc from Furguson
College Pune. He continued his studies with keen interest and passed his LL.B.

In
his early youth at Solapur he listened Dr. Ambedkar speeches and also to meet
him Shri Rajaram Bhole got very much
influenced by these speeches and decided to lend his helping hand in Dr.
Ambedkar’s crusade against exploitation of the untouchables by upper caste
Hindus. Dr. Ambedkar even helped him to get scholarship for his proposed
engineering course from the Nizam’s government. But due to the prolonged
illness of Shri Rajaram Bhole, he could not complete his engineering studies.
Earlier he had a chance to stay for one year at Gandhi Ji’s Sewa gram ashram at
Wardha. Wardha is a city and a municipal council in Wardha district in the
state of Maharashtra. It is the administrative
headquarters of Wardha district. Wardha gets its name from the WardhaRiver
which flows at the North, West and South boundaries of district. The town is
now an important centre for the cotton trade. It was an important part of
Gandhian Era. Here Sh R.R Bhole was also
treated for his illnes At Wardha Shri Rajaram Bhole even met Mahatama Gandhi
and gained nearness to him. Mahatama Gandhi gave a recommendatory letter in the
name of Dr Ambedkar to keep him with him as Shri Rajaram Bhole was faithful and
trustworthy person.

Observing pitiable poverty ridden conditions
of his Dalit brethren, he decided to work for their welfare. Therefore he
organized a conference of Dalit youth and requested Dr Ambedkar to preside over
it. Dr Ambedkar presided over the conference in Pune in 1935, where a call was
given to Dalit youth to work for their betterment and for the betterment of
their brethren. Shri Rajaram joined the
Independent Labour Party founded by Dr Ambedkar and contested elections in 1937
for the Bombay Legislative Assembly from Pune ( West) and won it. He worked
very actively in the Assembly. He also contested for the first General
Elections in 1952 on SCF Ticket for Kohlapur- Satara double member constituency
but could not win.

Since Shri Rajaram Bole had earned nearness to
Dr Ambedkar during his life time. Dr Ambedkar had founded the Peoples Education
Society in 945 and he remained its Chairman till his sad demise on December 6th,
1956.Therefore after the sad demise of great Dalit emancipator Dr Ambedkar the
responsibility of running the affairs
and management as Chairman fell on the shoulder of Justice Rajaram Bole. He
carried effectively the responsibilities of running the affairs of the Peoples
Education Society. He was elected its Chairman in 1959 and continued to hold
the responsibility till 1985.

In 1955 he also joined the judiciary as
District Judge. He was subsequently appointed by Govt. Of India in 1962, as one man Commission to inquire
into firing in Port Blair in Andaman Islands.
He also earned the distinction of getting elevated as Bombay High Court Judge
from among the Scheduled Castes. He retired from service on 11th February, 1975
at the age of 62 years. There after Justice Rajaram Bhole was appointed by the
Government as Chairman of the Commission for revision of the pay scales of the
Maharashtra Government employees.

He had the proud privilege to get appointed as
a member of the Backward Classes Commission constituted under the Chairman ship
of Justice B.P.Mandal constituted on 20th December, 1978. The
Backward Classes Commission submitted its report called “Mandal Commission Report” on 31st December 1980. This report
formed the basis for granting Reservation in Services to the Other Backward
Classes candidates in Services.

To continue his commitment to work for the
welfare of the Dalits, he joined Congress Party and contested for Lok Saba
Elections from Bombay
in 1980. Justice Rajaram Bole proved to
be an able Dalit leader, trusted lieutenant of Baba Sahib Dr Ambedkar, a
reputed judge, out spoken parliamentarian and as an educationist. He was a great follower and protagonist of
Buddhism and served as Chairman of the Buddhist Council of India.

Justice Raja Ram
Bole passed away on 24th August, 1993 leaving behind his only
son. Justice Rajaram Bole shall be long
remembered for his services in different fields, particularly for the welfare
of Dalits.

Naik Devrao Vishnu ( His 123rd birthday
falls on 9th February 2017)

Naik was born on 9th February 1894 at Aalewadi (Taluka Palghar). He joined the
Ambedkar movement of untouchables for Human Rights in 1927 when Mahad
Satyagraha was launched by Baba Sahib to taste water from Chavdar Tale. He the Editor of the newspaper
Brahmin-Brahminetar and of Samta. Dr.
Ambedkar launched the Samta on 15th
March 1929 with a view to highlight existing conflict between the
Brahmins and non-Brahmins. Devrao Naik
was one of the front runner organizers of the Kalaram Temple Satyagraha at Nasik organized by Dr
Ambedkar on 3rd of March, 1930. This Satyagraha was organized to
waken the Untouchable and test the Hindu Mind towards their religious brethren.
Devrao V. Nail was also entrusted the editorship of the Janta fortnightly news paper started by Dr. Ambedkar on 24th November 1930.
The publication of the paper was also helped by Bhaiya Sahib Jaswant Rao
Ambedkar besides Bapu Sahib Sahasrabuddha, B.C. Kamble, R.D. Bhandare .He was
dedicated to work as very active volunteer of the Samaj Samata Sangha ( League for Equality) founded under the leadership of Dr.Ambedkar. He edited The Samata a fortnightly news magazine
of the Samaj Samata Sangha. Shri Naik died in Mumbai on 27yh August 1982. He
was stanch trusted follower of Dr.Ambedkar the Dalit em Nanak Chand Rattu (His 95th
Birthday falls on 6-2-2017)

Nanak Chand Rattu was born on 6th February 1922,
in village Sakruli, in Hoshiarpur District of Punjab. He is best known as the
most closely associated and loyal Private Secretary to Dr.Ambedkar who served
him, sacrificing personal gains, his family,
official career, ambitions and inspiration for over 17 years, from
January 3, 1940 up to Dr.Ambedkar’s death on December 6, 1956.

Sh. Nanak Chand on passing his Matriculation
Examination in 1938, came to Delhi
in November 1939 in search of a job. After facing many difficulties he got a
job in the Government of India, in 1941. While in service he worked his way up
and passed the B.A degree Examination. He came in contact with Dr Ambedkar and
abandoned his studies before taking his M.A.examination to, serve Dr.Ambedkar
with exemplary dedication.

He has carved such a place of Honour –
undergoing sufferings, carping humiliations, troubles and tribulations, for a
great cause of the oppressed millions – and living so dominantly in the sweet
hearts of Dalit masses / Buddhists, that they held him high esteem as being the
reflex of their savior, the Great Dr. Baba Sahib Ambedkar. Like a shadow he
remained in the sacred service of his Messiah Dr.Ambedkar.

He was awarded Bheem Medal, Bheem
Rattan Award, Ambedkar Centenary Award, Anand Award, Ambedkar Rattan Centenary
Award, Vishvrattan Dr.Ambedkar Bhushan Award and Letters of Appreciation,
grandly and befittingly presented to him by Dr.Ambedkar organizations in India, United
Kingdom and Germany, in recognition of his
unique services to Dr.Ambedkar and a reputed social worker of outstanding
qualities. The felicitations and honors that he received are uniquely superb
and ceremonious. After the untimely death of his master Dr Ambedkar Dr. Savita
Ambedkar also known as Mai sahib called first to Nanak Chand Rattu and he was
perhaps the first person to see Dr Ambedkar as dead after Mai sahib. He
accompanied the dead body to Bombay
now Mumbai. Nanak Chand Rattu had embraced Buddhism with Baba Sahib.

In Dr.Ambedkar’s heroic, great,
glorious history of liberating battle, he is assigned a golden chapter by reputed
biographers, research scholars, eminent writers and journalists who have
produced volumes of literature on Dr.Ambedkar, from the material and
information readily given by him, gratefully acknowledged in their
writings. He also has written some books
on the life, Last days, and Mission of Dr Ambedkar. Nanak Chand Rattu’s writing
give vivid description of events related with Dr. Ambedkar, including last days
neglect by his wife, family dispute and many such heart rendering events. He is said to have started the first games in
the open naming the place as Dr Ambedkar Stadium, which now holds world level
games events in Delhi.

With his restless endeavors, AmbedkarMuseum,
set up by him at Nagpur,
is going to be the historical monument and the world famous Buddhist Pilgrimage
Centre. Apart, his effort to build “Ambedkar Guest House” for the convenience
of the visitors is laudable.

Nanak Chand Rattu retired as under secretary
from Central Government on February 29, 1980. . He breathed his last on 15th
September 2002. But till his last days he was actively associated with the
spread of Dhamma and the noble mission of Dr. Baba Sahib Ambedkar.

Varale , Balwantrao Hanmantrao ( His 90th Birthday falls on 2-2-2017)

Balwantrao Hanmantrao Varale an active
participant of the Mahad Satyagraha of 1927 was closely associated with the
movements of Baba Sahib. He was born on 2nd February 1901 at village Benadi in Belgaum and passed away in
Mumbai on 9th
August 1977 working with dedication for the cause of Dalits. He was
a trusted lieutenant of Baba Sahib Ambedkar’s Dalit Emancipation progremmes. He
had personally very closeness with Dr.Ambedkar. When Baba Sahib formed the
Independent Labour Party (ILP) on 15 August, 1936, He was called to contest on ILP ticket
for the Mumbai Legislative council election in 1937 and he got elected. In all
fourteen candidates of IPL won for the held on 17th February 1937 along with Dr.
Ambedkar. He got elected He won from Belgium. He was also a die hard
volunteer of the scheduled Castes Federation founded by Dr.Ambedkar in 1942.
When the Peoples Education Society (Registered in1945-46) established a college
at Aurangabad in 1950. The college premises were named as Nagsen Van. Shri Varle was present at college premises when Bodhivrisha (Buddha tree) was planted
there by Baba Sahib. This college was
renamed by Baba Sahib as MilindCollege, Aurangabad He became the first Registrar of Milind
College, Aurangabad,
opened by Baba Sahib. It is said Shri Varale insisted Dr Ambedkar to get sculptured
his bust from Mr. R.B. Madilgekar in 1950 which the latter accepted. He accompanied Dr Ambedkar to attend the
fourth Katmandu World Buddhist Conference. Sh.B.M Varale was the President of
the people’s Education society from 1975 to 1977. Although he lived only for 50
years, he made un- matching contribution for the welfare and well being of the
Dalits.

17th
February 1937,Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar won Bombay Vidhan Sabha election on his Independent Labour Party( IPL)
ticket.) In all 17 candidates of IPL Party won the election making a history of
sorts when untouchable got the mandate in any recognized Law making Body of the
country. Although Baba Saheb entered the Bombay Legislative Council in 1927as
nominated member. He was re-nominated in 1932 .He was its member for 12 years.
Bombay Legislative Council had 140
members. Baba Saheb moved Abolition of the Khoti System Bill in the Bombay
Legislative council, which proved a land mark in the Land Reforms Legislation in Post
Independence India. Dr. Ambedkar also made forceful speeches with value based
suggestions on Mahar Vatan, Industrial dispute, Prohibition , Education, University
Act Amendment Bill, Small holdings, Maternity benefits for women employees,
Birth Control and many more.